So I took off the shower screen again, cleaned it and rotated it - it still comes out the same. But, like you said, it makes sense given it's the only part to diffuse the stream from parts 56/57. So I assume this isn't the problem. The beans are not too old, I've tried different ones, fresh ones, it's all the same. The flow seems to be identical. It could be a little faster or slower but not by much.

Never disassembled the pressure assembly, I figured that would be the last thing I tried.

And I've never used descaler to clean anything - I only ran vinegar through the machine. For the filters I just soaked them for a while and cleaned them, but we don't have hard water here and I never saw a build up of anything on the filter parts. Should I use something else to clean the parts?

And I've never used descaler to clean anything - I only ran vinegar through the machine. For the filters I just soaked them for a while and cleaned them, but we don't have hard water here and I never saw a build up of anything on the filter parts. Should I use something else to clean the parts?

Vinegar, acid, is a descaler. There are cleaners such as Cafiza and JoeGloe and others, more detergent. Cleaners do not go into the machine, but you could soak the baskets and PF. It has been a while since I actually handled a Delonghi. The Pressurizing portion unscrews off the bottom of the basket IIRC. It has a certain order of assembly, nothing complex. It could potentially stick a bit and not pressurize properly. After a few years, mine quite working and was broken inside, perhaps a sealing O ring, I can't remember exactly. Odd not to get "crema" if the pressurized system is working, since it basically infused air and usually will produce foam with most any beans, the very reason that it is used. I would get a cleaneer and soak the baskets and pressure device, and possibly disassemble and clean. It might be nice if some of the EC155 crew weighed in.

So i just bought brand new coffee (same brand/type I always get) and pulled a super-fresh shot - no crema.

I soaked the filter baskets in vinegar, cleaned them well, and still, no crema.

I have never cleaned the portafilter with vinegar though, just soap and water. I'll try it but I can't imagine it will help that much?

What's weird is that I have 2 of these machines - one at work and one at home. The one at home was brand new back in August 2012 and gets used a lot less than the one at work. The one at work is a floor model and gets used a lot, but it still works fine and I haven't cleaned that one nearly as well or as thoroughly. I realize of course that parts can fail in one machine and not another, but it's got me baffled....

Since you have two identical portafilters, maybe take the one from the home machine to work with you and try it on the machine that works correctly. If the results fail then you know the problem with the home unit is inside the portafilter and not the machine.

I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?

I soaked the filter baskets in vinegar, cleaned them well, and still, no crema.

I have never cleaned the portafilter with vinegar though, just soap and water. I'll try it but I can't imagine it will help that much?

What's weird is that I have 2 of these machines - one at work and one at home. The one at home was brand new back in August 2012 and gets used a lot less than the one at work. The one at work is a floor model and gets used a lot, but it still works fine and I haven't cleaned that one nearly as well or as thoroughly. I realize of course that parts can fail in one machine and not another, but it's got me baffled....

Since you have two identical portafilters, maybe take the one from the home machine to work with you and try it on the machine that works correctly. If the results fail then you know the problem with the home unit is inside the portafilter and not the machine.

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